Indigenous fashion takes centre stage at Southcentre Mall
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With National Indigenous History Month underway, a local organization dedicated to celebrating Indigenous creativity, arts and culture has brought a culturally themed fashion exhibit to Calgary's Southcentre Mall.
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Authentically Indigenous launched its fashion-forward exhibit at the mall Tuesday, featuring outfits created by 10 Indigenous designers from across Canada.
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The outfits will be on display in the mall's centre court until June 22 — the day after National Indigenous Peoples Day — when the exhibit culminates with a fashion show titled Rez in the City 2.0. The fashion show, which opens at 8 p.m., will see models strut the catwalk while donning the creator's designs.
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Melrene Saloy-Eaglespeaker, co-founder of Authentically Indigenous, is one of the 10 fashion designers whose work will be on display at the mall this month. The Calgary-based Kainai Nation member's company, Native Diva Creations, combines intricate beadwork with contemporary flair.
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Another local designer whose work will be featured is Destiny Weasel Fat, who is also a Kainai Nation member. Her pieces aim to empower Indigenous people to reclaim their identity and boost their confidence and cultural pride.
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Saloy-Eaglespeaker said she took up fashion design five years ago, after previously working in jewelry design, and hasn't looked back.
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'I didn't feel that my story was being fully told just by showcasing jewelry,' she said. 'I wanted to really give that full element of who I am, where I come from and the elements that make up who I am. Making an entire garment, head to toe, is (a way) for me to do that.'
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That sentiment is echoed by the outfits on display at Southcentre Mall, which incorporate fabric, beadwork, and silhouette, with pieces that Saloy-Eaglespeaker said honour traditional Indigenous dress while still embracing modern design.
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As an example, she cited one designer's conversion of a traditional ribbon skirt into an Indigenized pant suit.
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